Functions of Nonverbal Communication

Expands verbal communication by:

Reinforcing a message Contradicting the message Substituting for messages

Conveys emotional and relationship dimensions of a message.

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

Subconscious: nonverbal communication is often sent and received on a subconscious level. We are usually not aware of the messages we send nonverbally.

Contextual: nonverbal communication

depends on the situation in which is occurs. Ambiguous: the meaning is open to interpretation and often confusing. Cultural: nonverbal communication has a distinct cultural nature.5

Nonverbal Communication & Professional Image

A positive professional image is important to your success in professional and social contexts. Through nonverbal communication you can create a professional image that projects confidence poise assertiveness immediacy

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Environmental Cues

space and distance territory touch time artifacts and objects color fragrance and odor

Listening

Listening: a physical and psychological process that involves acquiring, assigning meaning, and responding to symbolic messages from others. The primary reason for listening is to acquire oral messages from others.

10

Importance of ListeningMany important aspects of your life are influenced by your listening skills or lack thereof. Areas in life directly affected by your effectiveness as a listener include: school relationships social groups the workplace organizations public dialogue11

The Listening Process

Listening is more than hearing sounds or understanding language. Listening involves four active steps that build upon one another: Acquiring Attending Understanding Responding12

Acquiring

Acquiring is picking up some stimulus through such as hearing.

the act of type of the senses,

13

AttendingAttending is the act of choosing, consciously or subconsciously, to focus your attention on verbal or nonverbal stimuli.

14

UnderstandingUnderstanding is a complex mental process that involves decoding the symbolic message received from others and then interpreting and assigning personal meaning to that message.15

RespondingResponding is important to clarify and convey to the speaker that you are listening. Responding can take several forms.

Reflect the speakers words (paraphrase).

What I heard you say was

Ask questions to clarify.

When you said________, did you mean_______?

Summarize the speakers points.

16

Factors that Affect The Listening Process

Noise: anything that interferes with a message. Barriers: any obstacle that blocks communication. Memory: the process of retaining or recalling information.